AP Chemistry Exam Prep

Category - AP Chemistry

What are London Dispersion Forces?

  1. The forces responsible for the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust
  2. A type of hydrogen bond that occurs between molecules containing hydrogen and a highly electronegative atom
  3. Weak attractive forces between the electrons of one atom and the nuclei of another atom
  4. A type of covalent bond formed between two non-metal atoms sharing electrons
  5. Temporary attractive forces that arise due to the random fluctuations of electron density in molecules
Explanation

Answer: E) Temporary attractive forces that arise due to the random fluctuations of electron density in molecules

London Dispersion Forces are a type of van der Waals forces, which are weak intermolecular attractive forces. They arise due to the temporary fluctuations in electron density around atoms or molecules. These fluctuations create instantaneous dipoles, which in turn induce dipoles in nearby atoms or molecules. The induced dipoles lead to weak attractive forces between the molecules, known as London Dispersion Forces. They are present in all molecular substances, including polar and nonpolar molecules, and are generally stronger in larger molecules with more electrons. These forces play a significant role in determining the physical properties of substances, such as their boiling and melting points.

Was this helpful? Upvote!
Login to contribute your own answer or details